(CNN) - Two Democratic sources close to President-elect Barack Obama tell CNN that top adviser Valerie Jarrett will not be appointed to replace him in the U.S. Senate.

"While he (Obama) thinks she would be a good senator, he wants her in the White House," one top Obama advisor told CNN Monday.

Over the weekend, Democratic sources had told CNN as well as Chicago television station WLS-TV that Jarrett was Obama's choice to fill his Senate seat.

Jarrett, a Chicago attorney and one of Obama’s closest advisers, is a leader of the president-elect’s transition team.

Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the incoming White House chief of staff, praised her as a “valuable ally.”

“People should know that Valerie Jarrett is — and people do know — she is a very dear friend of the president-elect and a valuable ally of his, not only prior to running for president, in his Senate life, and just personally for Michelle and Barack,” Emanuel said on ABC’s This Week.

Several other Illinois Democrats have expressed interest in the seat, including Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich will make the final decision on Obama’s successor.

soundoff(62 Responses)

Brain in DC

Go Barack. You had the brightest team on your campaign, make sure not to lose their talents.

November 10, 2008 11:54 pm at 11:54 pm |

Judy Reedy

Sarah Palin is not blaming the Bush record for the GOP loss. You take everything she says out of context. It was obvious that CNN was completely biased against McCain/Palin. It was disgusting journalism. I won't watch CNN anymore.

November 11, 2008 12:07 am at 12:07 am |

Indepedent

Sarah,

you really must be ignorant. Obama surrounds himself with the best and brightest while Bush just surrounded himself with more dummies

This woman is incredibly smart and talented...much better than what you will ever even desire to be

November 11, 2008 12:07 am at 12:07 am |

Okie Doke Revealled

Jarrett is Obama's Karen Hughes ... only he's more on top of things than Bush was.

I knew yesterday's ticker story was just a fishing expedition. There are no unauthorized "leaks" from No Drama Obama!

November 11, 2008 12:14 am at 12:14 am |

Abby

LOL...This is an Illinois Senate seat...who but a Chicago politician do you expect to take it, someone from Texas? THINK !!! In this case, it is not only appropriate but required that someone from the State of Illinois takes the job.

November 11, 2008 12:31 am at 12:31 am |

bobby

If you just got off a chain gang, more than likely, you are a felon who cannot vote. If you are an illegal, you cannot vote.

Obama hasn't done anything yet as he is the president-elect, not the president.

Apparently, the 33% that voted for Obama that have never worked in their lives, those votes are discounted because their voice doesn't mean as much as yours.

Futhermore, you apparently forgot there was a Republican President who is still the one in charge while all of these negative items you listed are still going on.

I hope the Republicans still have this attitude that they do no wrong and all wrongs are because of Democrats in 4 years. If that is the case I see an 8 year Obama presidency.

I am still shocked that America would elect a black man to its highest office. I will be taking the day off to watch the inauguration. Most whites don't understand the big deal, maybe, but blacks do. And I feel happiest for the old timers that lived though Segregation and suffered so many indignities due to their skin color.

I just can't believe it. Congratulations, America!

November 11, 2008 12:35 am at 12:35 am |

RANDOLPH ALBERT

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF PRESIDENT BUSH WILL BE IMPEACH,SINCE MOST COMPANY'S ARE TAKING THEIR BUINESS OVERSEAS,EVEN IF THE COMPANIES TAKE BUINESSES OVERSEAS,WOULDN'T THAT SUPPORT MORE TERRORISM,AND WOULD GIVE EUROPEAN AND MIDLESTERN COUNTRIES A GREATER OPPERTUNITY TO KILL US,HOW IS AMERICA GOING TO PROTECT US,WITH THE LOSS OF BUINESSES IN THE US.

November 11, 2008 12:42 am at 12:42 am |

getagrip

Please people, let's try to have some dignity and respect for one another.
If you are happy about this great moment in our history, just ignore the negative and irrational comments of others–let's try to be worthy of the rare example of dignity and respect that Obama and his family have modeled for us.

November 11, 2008 12:48 am at 12:48 am |

LJinLACA

Chill out people...

Let Obama get into office.

Smart picks to move his agenda – a rescue of this economy.

Instead of badmouthing Obama, let us all hope and help him move policies that put people back to work.